L.J. Sutton is Div. III second-teamer

Mooney High’s L.J. Sutton has been selected a member of the 2008 Associated Press All-Ohio high school basketball teams Division III second team. Sutton averaged 15.5 points per game.

In the same division, United’s Jimmy Phillis received special mention Newton Falls’ Marcus Fowler, Campbell’s Antwan Dawson, Mineral Ridge’s T.J. Bevilacqua and Ursuline’s Nick McCartney received honorable mention.

In Div. IV, Wellsville’s Zane Carter (16.3 points) made second team while Columbiana’s Joe Blinsky (20.1 points) was named to the third team.

Warren JFK’s Nick Brown received special mention while Youngstown Christian’s Olonzo Johnson, Sebring’s Zach Tieche, Columbiana’s Andrew Tirpak, McDonald’s Lance Ronghi and Wellsville’s Jeremy Carter received honorable mention.

Three players headed for this week’s state tournament headline teams made first team.

Sugarcreek Garaway’s Tyler Gerber and Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s Nate Barnes share the player of the year award in Div. III with Worthington Christian’s Brian Hecker the nominee in Div. IV.

Gerber, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, averages 20 points, 5 assists and 3 steals a game for Garaway (23-3), which takes on Barnes and VASJ (21-4) in a state semifinal game on Friday. Barnes brings averages of 18 points and 4 assists.

The coaches of the year are Anna’s Matt Meyer and Gary Norris of South Point.

In Div. IV, Hecker, a 6-4 junior, enters the state tournament averaging 21.3 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field. He and the Warriors (25-1) meet Bedford Chanel (17-8) Thursday in the state semifinals.

The coaches of the year are New Knoxville’s Dan Hegemier, along with Malvern’s Dennis Tucci and Willie Hill of Cincinnati Seven Hills.

The players of the year and the all-state honors were decided based on the recommendations of a state media panel.